Joseph Audio Perspective2 vs Harbeth SHL5+
I currently own Harbeth SHL5+ and I’m generally very happy with them. I’m driving them with Audio Hungary a50i tube amp (50 watts class A) and don’t feel that the amp struggles at all. I have an opportunity to buy a used pair of Joseph Audio Perspective2 Graphene in excellent condition. Just wondering if anyone has had a chance to compare the JA Perspective2 with SHL5+. From what I understand they sound quite different but I’m not sure how. The Perspectives are obviously quite a bit more expensive than the Harbeths but I understand that this doesn’t automatically imply that they are better. Someone told me that the Perspective 2 is more in Harbeth 40.x league instead of SHL5+.
As good as the SHL5+ are, I do sometimes yearn for a wider and deeper soundstage with bigger bass (although I have a pair of REL S/510s to supplement). I would really appreciate if people who have made the move from SHL5+ to JA Perespective2 Graphene, or vice versa, can share their impressions.
Note: My room is 20 x 15 with 12 foot high ceilings. The speakers will be placed along the short wall. I can pull them out by 4 feet from the front wall and about 2 feet from the side walls. My room is treated with GIK panels. My biggest concern is whether my AH Qualiton a50i will be able to drive the Joseph Audios well.
Yikes! The original Perspectives clock in at 84dB sensitivity! https://www.stereophile.com/content/joseph-audio-perspective-loudspeaker-measurements No wonder Joseph Audio omits that specification on its website, and only lists the relatively benign impedance. |
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I have the original Pulsars. I am offering this comparison as they have very similar sensitivity measurements in Stereophile to the Perspectives. It's not apples to apples but similar in nature. Yes the sensitivity (on paper) is low- Stereophile measured the Pulsars at 83.5 db efficient. I have run them on two different tube amps, a BAT VK-55SE at 55 WPC and an Audio Research Ref 75SE at 75 WPC. Both worked wonderfully well in my experience and neither left me wanting for more. My current setup uses the Ref 75SE and it is such a great combo! Will more power be better? Maybe but don't write them off running medium power tube amps. Stereophile mentioned the Pulsar's impedance and them being an easy load for amplifiers in spite of the low sensitivity. That said, it is a little suspect Joseph doesn't publish the sensitivity ratings but in my experience it played out as they claim. Of course, as always your mileage may very. |
Apologies for a bit of diversion. May I ask which amp sounds best with the SHL5+ to you, the Luxman L-590AXII, Hegel H390 or Naim Supernait 3? Good luck with the Joseph audio Perspective. |
@ryder For me, it was hands down the Luxman 590AXII. It was more refined and the treble was just sublime. Hegel had more bass control, but I felt the bass on Luxman, while not as visceral, was more nuanced. It also added just the right hint of warmth/sweetness without over doing it. Hegel was also quite good and I can see it being a better match if one is more into hard rock, metal, or EDM. I still miss my Luxman and wish I could have kept it. For some reason, I just didn’t get along with Naim. I guess the whole PRAT thing ain’t my cup of tea. I had high hopes for the Supernait 3 but ultimately was a bit disappointed. Hope this helps :) |
